December 1, 2025
“Always Say Yes”
This month’s blog focus is on meaningful moments with either our own children or the children we work with. Today’s blog highlights the concept of “Always say yes.” This concept was highlighted in Steve Kotler’s book “Art of the Impossible”. He highlights: “By saying yes, you’re helping the other person along, lowering their cognitive load, and keeping them engaged in the moment… It’s how we build momentum” (p. 255).
This principle is important to apply to children with communication difficulties as well! Here is a real life example: Recently, I observed one of my little friends who is non verbal. However, he is exploring his kitchen – opening and closing cabinets and taking out some kitchen supplies. His mother’s response was to tell him “no.” She eventually installed child locks on the cabinets. Always saying “no” when dealing with the daily demands of having a busy toddler can unfortunately become our default setting.
I gently asked his mom if she would consider giving her son a cabinet in the kitchen designated just for him. She was open to the idea and, after deciding on which cabinet, he proceeded to sit on the kitchen floor for 30 minutes before losing interest! My little friend was actively engaged with his new kitchen band, imitating some novel actions. The power of “always saying yes” made it easier for him to enjoy play time and gave him the momentum to learn new skills.
As a parent, it’s important to step back and recognize your child’s need to explore. Creating a safe environment for them to do so can be pretty simple as well!
How can you implement “Always say yes” into your daily practice with the children in your life?